Rose, Watson lead Bulls to a 50-42 halftime lead

Derrick Rose has scored 16 points and C.J. Watson scored all 10 of his points to pace a second-quarter rally to boost Chicago to a 50-42 lead over the Spurs.

The Bulls shot 63.1 percent from the field in the second quarter as they have also taken control inside. The league’s best rebounding team has a 28-19 edge in rebounds, with Joakim Noah accounted for a game-high eight boards.

Danny Green has kept the Spurs close with a team-high nine points on three 3-pointers. Tony Parker scored eight points, but was shut out in the second quarter.

The Spurs are playing without Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard. And after Richard Jefferson picked up three fouls in only 4:34, their depth problem was exascerbated.

Chicago took control with a 7-1 run early in the second quarter and never traailed after that point. Green pulled the Spurs within 42-40 with 2:22 left, but Chicago’s late 8-2 spurt capped by Noah’s tip gave them their biggest lead at eight.

After not playing in the first quarter, Watson hit 4 of his 5 shots in the second quarter and scored 10 quick points.

The Bulls struggled early, missing six of their first seven shots en route to 25.9 percent shooting in the first quarter. The Spurs charged to an early 12-4 lead, but Chicago climbed back after a 9-1 run to pull within one on Rose’s layup.

Rose went down briefly in the first quarter after a knee-to-knee collision with Parker, but didn’t miss any action and played all 12 minutes in the first quarter.